Since signing right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, the Orioles have intensified their interest in free agent designated hitter Kendrys Morales, according to a source. The Orioles have been linked to the switch-hitting designated hitter throughout the offseason, but didn't appear to be in serious negotiations previously. That pursuit seemingly has increased in seriousness, the source said, due to two developments. One, the Orioles had been hesitant to forfeit their first-round pick - 17th overall - to sign Morales, but they instead forfeited it when agreeing to a four-year deal with Jimenez.

Since signing right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, the Orioles have intensified their interest in free agent designated hitter Kendrys Morales, according to a source. The Orioles have been linked to the switch-hitting designated hitter throughout the offseason, but didn't appear to be in serious negotiations previously. That pursuit seemingly has increased in seriousness, the source said, due to two developments. One, the Orioles had been hesitant to forfeit their first-round pick - 17th overall - to sign Morales, but they instead forfeited it when agreeing to a four-year deal with Jimenez.

After adding starting pitcher Scott Feldman and reliever Francisco Rodriguez this month, the Orioles have filled two needs before July 31's non-waiver trade deadline, but that doesn't mean they aren't still looking. One of the Orioles top scouts has been in Seattle this week watching the Mariners and the Minnesota Twins. Minnesota's former MVP Justin Morneau is on the trade block, and so may be several Mariners' hitters including Raul Ibanez and Kendrys Morales. Seattle slugger Mike Morse, whom the Orioles have liked for years, is currently rehabbing from a quadriceps injury in Triple-A.

By Eduardo A. Encina and Dan Connolly and The Baltimore Sun | February 21, 2014

SARASOTA, Fla. - The ink has only just dried on the Orioles' monumental four-year deal with starter Ubaldo Jimenez, but the club remains interested in acquiring at least one other big-ticket free agent. The Orioles have intensified their pursuit of free-agent designated hitter Kendrys Morales and right-handed starter Ervin Santana, according to industry sources. The club has been linked to both players throughout the offseason, but did not appear to be in serious negotiations recently as Jimenez signed a four-year, $50 million deal, the largest and longest contract given to a free-agent pitcher in franchise history.

The news broke this afternoon that the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a five-year, $125 million deal, pending a physical, with talented but troubled slugger Josh Hamilton. As a baseball writer, my first reaction was this: Maybe commissioner Bud Selig should enact a new realignment that creates a division just for the Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers. They play each other 162 times a year (it would cut down on travel expenses, which would help pay the enormous salaries) and the winner gets a playoff spot.

Angels, Rangers in ALCS Mike DiGiovanna Los Angeles Times The top four teams in the American League are, in no particular order, the Yankees, Tigers, Rangers and Angels, and I would be stunned if all four, under the new five-team playoff format, didn't reach the postseason. The final spot will come down to the Red Sox and Rays. The axis of power in the league is shifting from the Northeast (New York-Boston) to the West, so I like the Angels and Rangers to reach the championship series.

Baseball's nonwaiver trade deadline is at 4 p.m. today, and the Orioles are still looking to add pieces -- a right-handed hitter and a pitcher are still on the priority list. Here are some updates on trade talk: Heading into Wednesday morning, the Orioles and Los Angeles Angels were not involved in active discussions involving left-hander Jason Vargas. The clubs have spoken in the past about Vargas, whom the Orioles have coveted for years. But nothing was hot this morning.

The Orioles made the Nate McLouth signing official on Thursday and, technically, that counts as a fairly important move for the club this offseason. Yes, the Orioles picked McLouth off the scrap heap last year and there is no guarantee that he has a 2013 similar to the final two months of last year. That said, a $2 million (with $500,000 more available in plate appearance bonuses), one-year commitment certainly seems reasonable with minimal risk. But shortly before the Orioles announced that move Thursday, news broke that the Los Angeles Angels had agreed to a five-year, $125 million deal with outfielder Josh Hamilton.

When Jake Arrieta cruised into the fifth inning Saturday night after retiring a dozen consecutive Los Angeles Angels, the Orioles right-hander looked as if he would pick up his third quality start in four outings this young season. By the time his head stopped spinning in the fifth at Angel Stadium, however, Arrieta was in the Orioles dugout smarting from his shortest stint since July. The Angels collected five singles, three walks and five runs in the fifth to chase Arrieta on their way to a 6-3 win and a series victory against the Orioles (8-7)

Perhaps I am exaggerating a tad, but it seems like every time another club makes a personnel move, I get an email or a tweet from an Orioles fan wondering if it could affect the Orioles. If a player is rumored to be on the trade block or gets non-tendered or is designated for assignment, fans want to know if the Orioles have interest. Truth is, the Orioles front office hears the same rumors and views the same transaction info as you do. And they vet pretty much every option. And they have interest, to varying extents, on most players.

Baseball's nonwaiver trade deadline is at 4 p.m. today, and the Orioles are still looking to add pieces -- a right-handed hitter and a pitcher are still on the priority list. Here are some updates on trade talk: Heading into Wednesday morning, the Orioles and Los Angeles Angels were not involved in active discussions involving left-hander Jason Vargas. The clubs have spoken in the past about Vargas, whom the Orioles have coveted for years. But nothing was hot this morning.

After adding starting pitcher Scott Feldman and reliever Francisco Rodriguez this month, the Orioles have filled two needs before July 31's non-waiver trade deadline, but that doesn't mean they aren't still looking. One of the Orioles top scouts has been in Seattle this week watching the Mariners and the Minnesota Twins. Minnesota's former MVP Justin Morneau is on the trade block, and so may be several Mariners' hitters including Raul Ibanez and Kendrys Morales. Seattle slugger Mike Morse, whom the Orioles have liked for years, is currently rehabbing from a quadriceps injury in Triple-A.

Perhaps I am exaggerating a tad, but it seems like every time another club makes a personnel move, I get an email or a tweet from an Orioles fan wondering if it could affect the Orioles. If a player is rumored to be on the trade block or gets non-tendered or is designated for assignment, fans want to know if the Orioles have interest. Truth is, the Orioles front office hears the same rumors and views the same transaction info as you do. And they vet pretty much every option. And they have interest, to varying extents, on most players.

The Orioles made the Nate McLouth signing official on Thursday and, technically, that counts as a fairly important move for the club this offseason. Yes, the Orioles picked McLouth off the scrap heap last year and there is no guarantee that he has a 2013 similar to the final two months of last year. That said, a $2 million (with $500,000 more available in plate appearance bonuses), one-year commitment certainly seems reasonable with minimal risk. But shortly before the Orioles announced that move Thursday, news broke that the Los Angeles Angels had agreed to a five-year, $125 million deal with outfielder Josh Hamilton.

The news broke this afternoon that the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a five-year, $125 million deal, pending a physical, with talented but troubled slugger Josh Hamilton. As a baseball writer, my first reaction was this: Maybe commissioner Bud Selig should enact a new realignment that creates a division just for the Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers. They play each other 162 times a year (it would cut down on travel expenses, which would help pay the enormous salaries) and the winner gets a playoff spot.

When Jake Arrieta cruised into the fifth inning Saturday night after retiring a dozen consecutive Los Angeles Angels, the Orioles right-hander looked as if he would pick up his third quality start in four outings this young season. By the time his head stopped spinning in the fifth at Angel Stadium, however, Arrieta was in the Orioles dugout smarting from his shortest stint since July. The Angels collected five singles, three walks and five runs in the fifth to chase Arrieta on their way to a 6-3 win and a series victory against the Orioles (8-7)

By Eduardo A. Encina and Dan Connolly and The Baltimore Sun | February 21, 2014

SARASOTA, Fla. - The ink has only just dried on the Orioles' monumental four-year deal with starter Ubaldo Jimenez, but the club remains interested in acquiring at least one other big-ticket free agent. The Orioles have intensified their pursuit of free-agent designated hitter Kendrys Morales and right-handed starter Ervin Santana, according to industry sources. The club has been linked to both players throughout the offseason, but did not appear to be in serious negotiations recently as Jimenez signed a four-year, $50 million deal, the largest and longest contract given to a free-agent pitcher in franchise history.

Mark Reynolds, who took a pitch to the outside of his left hand in Thursday night's 9-7 loss to the Angels, is back in the starting lineup today batting sixth and starting at first base. After Thursday's game, Reynolds' hand had a huge wrap on it and his thumb was visibly swollen. However, Chris Davis, who was scratched from Thursday's lineup before the game, will also miss tonight's game with what was diagnosed as a right trapezius strain. Steve Pearce is in right field tonight batting seventh.

Angels, Rangers in ALCS Mike DiGiovanna Los Angeles Times The top four teams in the American League are, in no particular order, the Yankees, Tigers, Rangers and Angels, and I would be stunned if all four, under the new five-team playoff format, didn't reach the postseason. The final spot will come down to the Red Sox and Rays. The axis of power in the league is shifting from the Northeast (New York-Boston) to the West, so I like the Angels and Rangers to reach the championship series.